You may have recently heard about the 2022 Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops, which starts today in England at the University of Kent, Canterbury Cathedral, and Lambeth Palace. The Anglican Communion is made up of 41 provinces, or churches, which are then subdivided into dioceses. The Episcopal Church is a member of this Communion.
Convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, roughly 650 bishops (and nearly 500 spouses) will travel to the Conference, representing around 165 countries. Held about every ten years since 1867, its purpose is to discuss pressing global issues and the global mission of the Church for the decade ahead.
This year, once the documents that will guide discussions were sent to participants, it became clear that participants would be asked to “uphold marriage as between a man and woman.” In addition, spouses of same-sex bishops were not invited to attend the Conference.
Bishop Mariann sent a letter to the Washington diocese to outline her surprise at this insertion of a declaration in a topic—Human Dignity—that largely deals with the enduring dehumanizing effects of colonialism, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and unjust economic systems. She also confirmed her commitment to the validity and sanctity of same gender marriage.
Following an uproar from bishops and others, planners of the Conference have significantly rewritten sections of the relevant document to remove language that affirmed a 24-year-old resolution opposing same-sex marriage.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, who will be attending the Conference, alluded to the rapidly changing situation in a press release and said “…I offer this message of love to all my LGBTQ+ siblings: We have worked hard to become a church where, as the old African slaves used to sing, ‘There is plenty good room, plenty good room,’ for all of God’s children,” Curry said. “We are all The Episcopal Church, and we will not compromise who we are, our connections, or our love. We head to this conference with you in our hearts and Jesus’ Way of Love as our guide.”
All are welcome at St. Patrick’s. We believe that God loves all people, no exceptions. We gather to pray, share, study and worship in a community that is open and welcoming to all people. And we follow the leadership of our diocese—Bishop Mariann—and our Church—Bishop Curry—in their position of full acceptance and inclusion for LGBTQ+ persons with rightful access to all the sacraments of the Church, including marriage.
There is plenty good room for all God’s children at St. Patrick’s.
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